Galecto’s Therapeutic Focus

Galectins: at the heart of our R&D strategy

Galecto is committed to developing medicines for conditions with a high unmet medical need, particularly where there is compelling experimental and human evidence for the role of galectins in disease pathogenesis.

Fibrosis is a severe scarring process that occurs in many chronic diseases of the lungs, liver, kidneys, heart, joints and eye. It can severely disturb how an organ functions, leading to irreversible failure, the need for transplant, and can also be fatal in some cases.

Galectin-3 (Gal-3) has a well described role in inflammation including the recruitment and activation of a number of immune cells, such as macrophages and T-cells. Gal-3 can also drive the release of cytokines and other immune signalling molecules to cause organ damage and dysfunction.

Galecto’s focus is on cancers where galectin expression and activity has been associated with the development and progression of tumours, often with a poor prognosis. In particular, Galectins may determine the ability of cancer cells to evade the immune system.

Galecto develops galectin modulators for the treatment of severe diseases, including fibrosis and cancer. The company, founded in 2011, builds on more than 10 years of research into galectins and galectin modulators, which combined with a strong patent estate gives Galecto Biotech a unique platform.